Progress made at prominent intersection

A new Delmar Medical Arts Building will be completed in 2012 at the intersection. Town officials once the current medical building is torn down, the amount of green space at the property will increase from 4 to 16 percent.

The intersection, Morelli said, is considered by many to be the entrance to the more traditional part of Delaware Avenue.

Over 12,000 vehicles pass through the intersection, but town officials and developers aren’t anticipating that number to rise significantly.

“The surrounding businesses are going to see a benefit from new traffic and new employees at the location,” said town Senior Planner Robert Leslie. “That’s also one of the things we look at in considering these projects.”

Traffic flow also is expected to improve as well due to the elimination and relocation of existing curb cuts.

The exterior designs for both locations will be somewhat similar to what already exists at the CVS location across the busy roadway. The buildings are more oriented toward the street and were designed with elements such as decorative lighting and better pedestrian access in mind. Morelli said it’s good to be able to point prospective developers toward existing projects so everyone is on the same page.

“You can look at them and say, these are good examples,” Morelli said. “And then, it’s a snapshot for them.”

The two projects are not the only action in terms of development along Delaware Avenue. Morelli confirmed that there is interest in the former Friendly’s site and recently the town’s Planning Board approved designs for renovations and an expansion of the Valero gas station at the intersection of Cherry Avenue. That project will include the reestablishment of the car wash at the station.